Connor McDavid to be Inducted into Canadian Walk of Fame this Weekend

The Canadian Walk of Fame Inductee Stars are displayed along King Street West (between John Street and Simcoe Street) and Simcoe Street (between King Street West and Wellington Street) in downtown Toronto. And this Saturday, Connor McDavid will join 23 other prominent and impactful Canadians, to be inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame.

McDavid is the only inductee in the Sports and Athletics category this year. He joins a list of outstanding Canadian athletes including Wayne Gretzky, Donovan Bailey, Mark Messier, Clara Hughes, Steve Nash, Christine Sinclair, Terry Fox and many more.

McDavid is one of the youngest inductees ever, but with 13 major NHL trophies already, including five Art Ross, four Ted Lindsay, three Hart and one Maurice Richard, his accomplishments are worthy.

The 26-year-old admitted he was caught off guard when he got the call he was being inducted. “I don’t know a ton about it,” said McDavid. “I do know it is a tremendous honour and I’m extremely proud to be Canadian and to now be in the Walk of Fame.”

McDavid’s focus today and tomorrow will be on the Winnipeg Jets, but the 2014 Scholastic player of the year in the OHL will be studying up on what to expect this weekend. He prides himself on being prepared for hockey, but this ceremony will be a little outside his comfort zone.

“I don’t know what to expect at the ceremony (laughs) to be honest,” said McDavid. “My old agent, Jeff Jackson brought it up last summer and it is here now. It will be fun to experience something different.”

The induction ceremony is this Saturday and the Oilers were aware McDavid was being honoured this past summer and asked for the scheduling break so McDavid could attend in person. The Oilers play tomorrow, but then don’t play until next Wednesday.

McDavid is excited to meet the other inductees, especially the musicians being inducted.

“Yeah, that is really cool. I know some of them,” said McDavid. “I grew up watching and listening to some of them. I know Avril Lavigne is going in, and she is a bit more of my age group. I know many of her songs. It is pretty cool to be a part of all of it.”

The majority of this year’s inductees come from the Arts and Entertainment category with a total of 18 including some excellent Canadian musicians and bands such as in Lee Aaron,  April Wine, Avril Lavigne, Chilliwack, Glass Tiger, Lighthouse, Loverboy, Max Webster, Michel Pagliaro, Platinum Blonde, Prism, Rough Trade, Trooper and The Parachute Club.

Actors Tantoo Cardinal, Rick Mercer, the TV show Degrassi and Edmonton-born visionary broadcaster and philanthropist Gary Slaight round out the category.

The other inductees are in various categories.

Michael Budman and Don Green for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy.

Rosalie Silberman Abella goes in for Humanitarianism.

Dr. Brenda Milner in Science, Technology and Innovation.

Catherine Abreu is the National Hero Honour and Kardinal Offishall in the Allan Straight Music Impact Honour.

Congratulations to all the inductees.